Story and Photography by Dave Hadden During the evening of April 20, 1991, I successfully bid $325.00 for two days of guided fishing for summer run steelhead. I was at a live auction at a Campbell River Branch of the Steelhead Society of BC fundraiser and the guide who had offered his services was Bruce Gerhart. Although I had met Bruce scarcely six months previous, I had learned enough about him to know I would probably learn more from two days with him than I would from a year on my own. Although I had caught several winter steelhead when fly-fishing on the Charlottes, I wanted to learn about summer steelhead. And besides, earlier that evening I had been successful bidder on a custom built Sage fly rod with an Islander reel autographed by Lefty Kreh. I had the equipment, and now I needed some knowledge. Bruce would supply that. Around the end of May Bruce called me. Meet me tonight at Devlin’s Run, he instructed. Bring your gear. I fussed over my gear for half an hour before Bruce arrived, checking all the knots on my hand-tied leader, running the leader through my line straightener and wondering what fly I should choose. Maybe Ill leave that to Bruce, I thought. After exchanging pleasantries upon his arrival he quickly rigged up and donned his boots. Follow me, he said. He led off across the channel to the bottom of the Lower Island, wading as if the water was a mere afterthought. I was to learn later more about his legendary status as a fearless wader. Reckless wader, I’ve heard it said, but he never drowned. How good can you cast? he bellowed. I don’t know, I answered. You tell me. With that, I pulled...